I don't see any tie-breaker rules for SB, and it's possible that Ge and Guan were added together and the order on the SB list was alphabetical, or Ge was never submitted for GP (which doesn't make sense).

The wording on the GP announcement suggests that the grouping is static and that all of the men (if possible) in the Top 5 (or 6 with tie) would be assigned before someone else moved up to the Top 5 list. If not, Bush would be slotted into the remaining skaters in the group if Ge is in it, or Bush and Menshov if Ge is not in it.

It still isn't clear from the contradictory wording* of the GP announcement whether they are supposed to be assigned in the order of their SB if they were Top 24 SB, or whether the host can choose any of the top five, including the Top 24 SB.

*The wording says, "The alternate list needs to be worked through in ranking order for the top 24 ranked skaters/couples according to their Season's Best. All skaters/couples of the alternates list will be grouped in top ranked groups of five (5) skaters, out of which the respective Organizing Member may pick one skater/couple for invitation." For the Top 24 SB, they can't be both chosen in ranking order and in any order within their group of five based on OM's preference.

If the former, and there is no strategy involved, then, assuming the Czisny passes because of injury recovery, that Nagasu, who is assigned to CoC, should get Kostner's spot at TEB. Korpi should be next in line, but she's already at RC, which would mean back-to-back competitions for her, traveling from China to Russia. (Even if she were considered for TEB, she would be going from Russia to Paris, although that isn't that much longer to travel or time-zone adjustment-wise than the SA/SC tandem that skaters do, when they are on different coasts.)

Were Korpi skipped because CoC and RC are back-to-back, then Biryukova, who has NHK, would be next in line.

Voronov was first in the order. What shows that FRA was able to choose from the Top 5, was that Guan was chosen over Dmmitriev, both of whom were assigned to CoC. (Hendrickx was already assigned to TEB and Rogozine has NHK the week after.)

I wish they'd remove the conflicting information, because "ranking order" on its own applies to all skaters in the Top 75 who've met the GP minimum, and it only pertains to the creation of groups. Since they do mention being broken into groups, and not moving someone lower in the list in to become part of Top 5, Hendrickx, Rogozine, and Dmitriev should be considered next.

After some summer comps and assuming that Evan won't skate this year (wouldn't we have heard something by now?), I think Armin is a safer bet for the TBA slot at SA. He rocked at the Vail open. Plus, the other US men w/o a spot (Carriere, Aaron, Messing, Mroz) were either subpar or downright craptacular. I think only a scintillating performance from 1 of these 4 at Nebelhorn or Finlandia could change the trajectory (when does the USFSA choose the open slots, anyway?)

US pairs -

Thinking the TBA spot at SA will go to Z/B. They're doing quite well and very motivated. I think D/L and C/S have good options to be substitutes

Plus, the other US men w/o a spot (Carriere, Aaron, Messing, Mroz) were either subpar or downright craptacular. I think only a scintillating performance from 1 of these 4 at Nebelhorn or Finlandia could change the trajectory (when does the USFSA choose the open slots, anyway?)

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Hochstein should be in this conversation too. He was strong at Glacier Falls. I'd put him right behind Armin in the pecking order for the SA spot right now.

Seems like Carolina Kostner is out of the GP series. Why, what happened?

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management told in an italian interview, she would bestead her boyfriend alex schwarzer in his bad time (positive doping test).

despite that she resumed training not berfore july, so she will not be in form for the early competition. kostners first appearance should be the italian championships in december, afther that euros and worlds.

What's the strategy from the French Fed? Be nice to the Chinese so that they return the favors? Getting a softer field? They could care less about paying ticket holders who would rather see a stronger skater!!!!!

It still isn't clear from the contradictory wording* of the GP announcement whether they are supposed to be assigned in the order of their SB if they were Top 24 SB, or whether the host can choose any of the top five, including the Top 24 SB.

*The wording says, "The alternate list needs to be worked through in ranking order for the top 24 ranked skaters/couples according to their Season's Best. All skaters/couples of the alternates list will be grouped in top ranked groups of five (5) skaters, out of which the respective Organizing Member may pick one skater/couple for invitation." For the Top 24 SB, they can't be both chosen in ranking order and in any order within their group of five based on OM's preference.

If the former, and there is no strategy involved, then, assuming the Czisny passes because of injury recovery, that Nagasu, who is assigned to CoC, should get Kostner's spot at TEB. Korpi should be next in line, but she's already at RC, which would mean back-to-back competitions for her, traveling from China to Russia. (Even if she were considered for TEB, she would be going from Russia to Paris, although that isn't that much longer to travel or time-zone adjustment-wise than the SA/SC tandem that skaters do, when they are on different coasts.)

Were Korpi skipped because CoC and RC are back-to-back, then Biryukova, who has NHK, would be next in line.